But, better still, there was more than just a casual interest in the glossy crystal acrylic finishes, unique soft-closing mechanisms and Asian-inspired furniture on display at the Singapore Mozaic booth.

'We've received very positive reviews about our designs,' says Kee Ai Nah, retail, furniture, textile and apparel director of Spring Singapore. 'They know it's not a copycat thing that we're trying to pull off here.'

Led by the Singapore Furniture Industries Council (SFIC) under the umbrella banner of Singapore Mozaic, the companies taking part in the debut showcase were: Koda, Star Furniture Industries, Getz Gallery in collaboration with design studio HybridMatter, The Life Shop and Air Division. Each company's strengths were highlighted in a diverse range of contemporary design-led furniture, from The Life Shop's Asian-inspired teak pieces to Star Furniture's high-gloss and veneer bedroom set.

Elsewhere in Milan, Singapore design was in the spotlight at diverse events around town. At Zona Tortona, the most popular area for individual design shows, DesignSingapore scholars Hans Tan and Hunn Wai presented their latest collections in separate group shows led by their alma mater, Design Academy Eindhoven, while DesignSingapore Council exhibited Blueprint 2008, featuring furniture designed by Jason Ong, Jarrod Lim, Gabriel Tan, Wendy Chua, P C Ee, Brian Law and Tan Sixiu. Two of them - Jarrod Lim and P C Ee - also showed their work with Singapore-based manufacturing and design company Exit at Salone Satellite, the show for young designers.

This year marks Singapore's largest entry in recent times to Milan during what's known as design week, which celebrates furniture, product and industrial design both at the Salone del Mobile and in over 400 stores, galleries and exhibition spaces all over the city.

'We're just very happy to be given the opportunity to be here,' says Ms Kee of the modest 700 sq ft space that Singapore Mozaic was allocated in Hall 13 at the fair. 'It has been impossible for the last 10 years.'

The reason for this can be attributed to the selectiveness of the organisers at the always over-subscribed fair. 'We've always applied - but after we submit our companies' profiles and designs they come back to say that they have 200 to 300 companies on the waiting list,' says SFIC's executive director Shermaine Ong.

It was a different story in the mid-1980s to 1990s, when Singapore furniture companies were a hot commodity in Europe, thanks to their competitive manufacturing ability and low prices. Back then, local manufacturers had a strong presence in Milan, occupying an entire hall at the then-smaller furniture fair.

Ernie Koh, senior vice-president of marketing for Koda, recalls the glory days. 'In the mid-80s, International Enterprise Singapore (then known as the Singapore Trade Development Board) led a group of companies to the Salone Internazionale del Mobile. Business was fantastic - they were literally lining up to order.'

But since the furniture trade started to focus on design as well as production capabilities, Singapore has been fighting to get its foot back in. 'Singapore was still a very competitive source of manufacturing, and we were known for our reliability. Over time, we became very expensive,' explains Mr Koh. 'We could not compete without having an additional edge.'

Mr Koh is back in Milan this year, this time armed with Koda's expertise in product design and workmanship. The new, design-led contingent proposed a hopeful repositioning of made-in-Singapore furniture - that is, designed in Singapore, with manufacturing based in the region.

As SFIC president Andrew Ng puts it: 'Shanghai was the third-largest furniture supplier in the world last year, but this year they've overtaken Italy to take the second spot. Our guys have facilities in China, Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam, so we are three up on China.'

He cites the brand equity of Singapore, with efficient infrastructure and transparent business practices as leverage, but is quick to admit that 'we are a small stone in a big sea. We are fighting with very major players, which is why we set up Singapore Mozaic so we can showcase the finest quality and design that we can come up with'.

The value of Singapore furniture exports stands at $3.4 billion currently. SFIC hopes to increase its share of the world furniture export market from 0.7 per cent to 2 per cent by the year 2015.

'It's our first entry into this market, and it takes us a while to really understand the needs of this market,' says Mr Ng. 'Some are very experienced producers, like Koda, and then there are newcomers such as Air Division. Even if they don't sell, they're here to gain experience as well, which is important.'

The experience they've gained so far? Star Furniture Industries' international marketing manager Susan Wu has noticed a difference among the fairs the company has participated in, such as in Cologne, Singapore, Malaysia and China. 'The customers here are different, their emphasis is on design, rather than prices. These are completely new leads that we are getting here - you wouldn't see them in the other fairs.'

A big player in the local market, Star Furniture Industries has an annual output of US$27 million and has established markets in the UK, France, Spain, Cyprus, the Middle East, Australia, The Netherlands, Canada, Japan, Taiwan and the Philippines.

'Visitors to our booth think our prices are good, and the quality is very good,' says Ms Wu. 'The problem is a matter of how to bring in our products. They need to explore issues such as duty, Custom clearance, warehousing and logistics. They're used to working with European firms, who transport by trucking, which is faster and more flexible than shipping, and the quantities required are smaller.'

Challenging hurdle

It's a similar story for Koda, whose biggest concern is the quantity customers are able to order. 'That is a challenging hurdle for us, because we require volume in order to fulfil them,' says Mr Koh. But he has noticed an opening in the market: 'Italy is traditionally a strong manufacturing country, but with the rising costs and the euro being so strong, they are looking into imports too.'

For smaller companies such as The Life Shop and Air Division, which have a smaller capacity and are much more design-led, this has been a very good show for them, as the fair draws mainly architects and retail buyers who are looking for designer furniture in smaller quantities suitable for development projects and retail stores.

The Life Shop, which already has established markets in Europe, has also drawn a lot of interest from existing customers who have introduced them to affiliated retail buyers. But there is one unexpected obstacle regarding their design material: 'We have to propose a new wood for our designs, as the Europeans are concerned about the environmental friendliness of their furniture,' says Marfo'ah Ahmad, sales and marketing manager. 'Teak is a no-no.'

The success of the Singapore contingent remains to be seen, but so far, the response has been encouraging, with each company in the negotiating process with a list of potential project as well as retail buyers from European countries from Cyprus to the Czech Republic.

At Salone Satellite, Exit's show was also swarming with curious visitors, and the designers had numerous enquiries from galleries and manufacturers who were keen on working with them. By the third day, P C Ee's sculptural, stainless steel Before and After chaise longue had been sold to a private collector from the UK, and Jarrod Lim was approached by a prestigious Italian manufacturer to produce his magazine rack.

But it wasn't only the commercially feasible, mass-oriented works that were in demand; the daring, conceptual chairs and shelving designs by Hunn Wai also drew numerous offers by galleries keen on exhibiting his work, as well as architects who wanted to reproduce them for commercial projects.

Simon Ong, chairman of SFIC's Design Development Committee, says: 'It's a good start. We hope that we can create awareness amongst both customers and designers that Singapore is different from the rest of the Asian countries. In the future, we hope to work with Italian designers and bring them here.'

Source : Business Times - 2 May 2008

Taking up this challenge, Nendo (http://www.nendo.jp/) designed a furniture that  transformed a roll of pleated paper into a small chair that appears naturally as you peel away its outside layers, one layer at a time.

I thought this was a wonderful observation and adaptation of nature (as designed by the Almighty). Just think of the innovative possibilities, if we were to focus and be more observant to nature ... 

LIKE many Singaporean home owners, personal banker Karen Teo has furnished her five-room HDB flat in Sengkang with pieces of furniture that are well-known in the design world.

TIGHT BUDGET: Ms Karen Teo and Mr Jeremy Lee bought Arco lamp and Bombo stool lookalikes for their home in Sengkang. -- PHOTOS: BETTY CHUA FOR THE STRAITS TIMES, FLOS

In her bedroom is the ubiquitous arched stainless steel standing lamp. And in her living room, by the bar counter, stand two bar stools that often grace the pages of home decor magazines.

But while they look very much like the Arco lamp and the Bombo stool, they are not the real thing. They are lookalikes.

Ms Teo and her engineer husband Jeremy Lee, both 27, had a tight budget when they were furnishing their home three years ago. They set aside $30,000 for furnishings, including electronics.

To stretch their dollar, they hunted for bargains and found furniture shops in Sungei Kadut, where 'you can get designer-inspired pieces at a fraction of the price', she says.

Then, she bought her Arco lookalike for $440 and her bar stools for $99 each. An Arco lamp from Space Furniture at Millenia Walk costs $4,225, while a Bombo stool from X-tra Living at Park Mall costs $920.

'They were designer pieces that I wanted, but I didn't want to pay too much for them so this is the next best option,' she reasons.

As Singaporeans become more house-proud, home owners who covet designer pieces but do not have the budget for them are turning to more affordable reproductions.

The Arco lamp, by Italian designers Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, is one of the most copied items in the market, thanks to its distinctive design. Half the lighting shops that line Balestier Road and Geylang carry Arco lookalikes, mostly from China and Taiwan.

They look almost like the real McCoy, but there are differences. While the Arco uses Italian Carrera marble for its base, the cheaper alternatives use marble from China or India. Also, some arches are made of a circular stainless steel tube instead of a rectangular one.

Mr Aman Heng, general manager of Light Image Holdings which has a chain of lighting stores, says such pieces are popular with home owners who are not particular about whether the lamp is an original or a copy.

'They are happy just to have the same design,' says Mr Heng, 43. 'It also fits those with tight budgets.' His new shipment of Arco lookalikes will come in at the end of the month, and he says they will go for at least $600.

A spokesman for Lush in Upper Paya Lebar Road, which sells designer reproductions, says such items are also popular with interior designers who do up showflats, as 'they don't want to spend too much on the pieces'.

The store sells about 20 Arco copies a month, each going for $580. In comparison, Space Furniture sells about 200 to 250 Arco lamps a year.

At Dream Interiors in River Valley Road, a dealer for Knoll furniture, a Barcelona chair starts at $8,000. Compare this with a reproduction which costs $1,300, and it's not surprising that budget-conscious consumers opt for the cheaper one.

There is a reason the designer classics are costly.

Dream Interiors owner Shawn Tan says the high prices are due to the meticulous manufacturing process, the quality of materials used and, most importantly, the intellectual input from the designers.

Using German-born American architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe's Barcelona chair as an example, Mr Tan, 37, points out that even though the chair was designed in 1929, it still looks modern today. That shows that the design was ahead of its time.

Physician Wong Tien Hua, who has several designer pieces such as an Eames surfboard table in his bungalow in Bukit Timah, says he buys only the real pieces even though they cost more.

'The quality is better and you're buying into the history as well,' says Dr Wong, 38.

Even in the reproduction industry, retailers say there are different grades of products. 'The copy must be as close to the original as possible,' says Mr P.C. Ee, 36, owner of Exit Design Studios, which carries a range of designer reproduction furniture.

Retailers say they tend to favour items from Australia, Thailand, Vietnam and Taiwan, which produce better reproductions. Some retailers avoid reproductions from China because they tend to be poorer copies, even though they are cheaper.

Mr Lorgan Wong, 49, owner of Lorgan's which carries second-hand and reproduction retro pieces, says he doesn't carry items from China because 'they are not close enough to the original'.

As for the legal implications of copyright breaches, the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore, which looks after intellectual property of individuals and companies, says it does not handle such matters.

Industry players say the copyright infringement issues against those who produce copies are usually undertaken by the respective companies' headquarters, which are mostly overseas.

Retailers that Life! spoke to say they make it a point to inform customers that the pieces are reproductions.

'We tell them these are not original pieces, so the price is much lower,' says Mr Ee.

As for copyright issues, retailers resort to two avenues to get around the problem.

'We cannot use the original names. Instead we give it a code number,' says Mr Ee.

Others, such as Lorgan's Mr Wong, use phrases such as 'Eames-style' or 'Eames-era' to describe a reproduction of a recliner.

The other method is to copy the design but use dimensions that are different from the original, such as making it slightly smaller. Some manufacturers also use different materials from the original.

Fighting back

THE manufacturers of the originals are understandably not happy to let reproductions flood the market.

Italian lighting manufacturer Flos, which makes the Arco lamp, has taken legal action worldwide against manufacturers of Arco lamp copies.

This includes sending a warning letter from the company's lawyer, as well as removing imitations from the market. Flos says most such cases have been with European retailers, and it has not taken any legal action in Singapore in the last five years.

A spokesman for the company says the hunt for imitation manufacturers is not easy because 'as soon as one manufacturer is discovered and stopped, a new one starts'.

Finland's Artek, which produces designer classics such as the Alvar Aalto Armchair 400, says it has also taken legal action against those who make copies of Artek pieces.

But a spokesman says 'legal action was costly and in the end it has no long-term effect', as imitation pieces still pop up. 'However, we have not given up. We just find other ways more effective than legal action,' he adds.

Artek wants to educate consumers on why they should buy originals.

It hopes that consumers will understand that Artek products have the quality to last through generations, and that it uses only materials that come from environmentally sustainable forests.

Still, that is not stopping Singaporeans from buying copies of the high-priced items.

Corporate communications manager Raymond Lim, who has an Arco lamp lookalike in his four-room HDB flat in Tiong Bahru, says he is not a 'designer furniture freak' but just loves tastefully designed pieces.

He first saw the Arco when he was 16, but didn't realise then that it was considered a designer classic. 'But I told myself I must have this lamp in my home one day,' he says.

Now 29, he bought a lookalike at a lighting shop in Balestier Road for a mere $200. 'It fits my budget. The brand is not important but the design must be appealing,' he says, of his Arco copy that is made in China.

Source : Straits Times - 1 Mar 2008

The comfort of the new designer Jet Seat chair from Italy with a ceramic frame and wooden base is at par. Seemingly elite chair, this unique offering by Versace is retailed at $10,800. Their presence at the apartments of the is generating them goodwill and appreciation for their designer interior decoration and accessories. Available at all the Versace boutiques globally, the evenly structured lines of the chair are interesting.

www.versace.com

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) October 10, 2006 – The Mid Century retro modern furniture movement has taken center stage in the world of design furniture today. In recent years, mid-century modern furniture, glass, ceramics, and textiles have become hugely popular among those who appreciate the stylish contribution these pieces make to contemporary homes.

At the close of World War II the US was electrified with optimism about the future. America began a love affair with fashionable living in a post atomic world. Kidney shaped tables, boomerang sofas, and amoeba forms are the hallmarks of this distinctive 1950's furniture style. Retro modern chic is characterized by space age materials, innovative biometric designs, and trend setting colors.

The leading architects of this school include Ray and Charles Eames, Harry Bertoia, Arne Jacobson, Isamu Noguchi, and Eero Saarinen among others.

A Google search indicates that the foremost source for mid-century furniture is Gibraltar Furniture, which features retro-modern and a wide array of discount architectural modern, high quality items at discount prices. Gibraltar Furniture is one of the leaders in the world of Internet modern architectural products. Gibraltar sells both original and reproduction furniture manufactured in Italy, America, and Asia, with original specifications, exceptional qualities, and the finest selections, at cut-rate prices.

Gibraltar offers the classic Noguchi Coffee Table for only $545, whereas Knoll sells this piece at Design Within Reach for $1,195. Similarly, an Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman will set you back $3,125 at DWR but wholesales for only $1,599 at Gibraltar.

Located at www.gibraltarfurniture.com and (800 416-3635), this West coast company has been in operation for over 50 years. Gibraltar is based in Beverly Hills, 90210, and is an insider secret weapon for cool merchandise at warehouse prices. This supplier is an excellent resource for factory-direct pricing on all mid-century pieces, and offers designs by Wright, Bertoia, Saarinen, Jacobson, Nelson and Kjaerholm, at cut-rate prices.

With roots in prewar Germany, modernism leaped to popularity in postwar America. Early advocates included architects Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius. Incipient modernism blended functionality with frugality. Between 1945 and 1960, architects like Frank Lloyd Wright and designers like George Nelson revolutionized the home furniture landscape and helped create the template for the modern retro look.

Baby Boomers and Generation X consumers are clamoring for postwar pieces that are still breathtaking and beautiful due their clean and chic lines. Modern architecture was a direct rebuttal to the busy neoclassical styles that came before.

Retro modern furnishings feature styles such as low-slung sofas and ovoid glass coffee tables that spotlight asymmetrical and free-form shapes. Huge advances in postwar polymers, injection molding techniques, and machine techniques helped designers fashion unique products that previously were unimaginable.

That lime-green Egg chair of grandma's – which you thought so hideous as a child – would now be snapped up in a second by a savvy collector. Modern Retro is not about slavishly recreating a period feel. Instead, it encompasses the best designs, eclectic forms, colors, and patterns.

In addition to classic designs, Gibraltar is introducing a new series of innovative furniture products that take their inspiration from mid century schools of design. Companies such as Jet Age and Lunar Lounge Design are creating exciting new items in the retro cool tradition.

Gibraltar offers the entire line of products from Color & Life, Compar, David Edward, Davis Furniture, Fabulux, Firefarm, Girari, Gordon International, Grey, Havaseat Chairs, Innovation, IQMatics, Janke, Jet Age, Kenshoma, Litto Kids, Lunar Lounge, Malik, Ooba, Oeuf, Offi, OFM, Ogus Design, The Phillips Collection, Serralunga, Studio4LA, Touch Design/Lighting, Trevi Outdoor, the Vessel Architectural Pottery collection, Zuo Modern, and 100 Times Better, among others.

For additional information on the news that is the subject of this release, please contact Bradley Friedman, Director of Pubic Relations, via email.

Images for all products can be obtained at www.gibraltarfurniture.com.

Contact:
Bradley Friedman
Director of Public Relations
ACMETOYS PR
310.276.8889

Harry Bertoia was a sculptor and furniture designer. He designed a series of these wire chairs for Knoll in the 1950's. The Bertoia Wire Chairs are now classic mid-twentieth century-American furniture icons. "If you look at the chairs, they are mainly made of air, like sculpture," said Bertoia. "Space passes through them."

A Google™ search indicates that one of the foremost sites for high end furniture at wholesale prices is Gibraltar. "This West coast internet pioneer features retro, modern, and post-modern furnishings at rock bottom prices. Gibraltar offers an exceptional array of wholesale, architectural, modern, high quality items at factory direct discount prices. Gibraltar Furniture is one of the leaders in the world of Internet modern architectural products. Gibraltar sells furniture manufactured in Italy, Asia, and the USA and all sales are tax free outside of California."

All of the world class leather that we use on all pieces is 100% European luxury grade material. Each high quality stainless steel frame is also imported to insure that you get only the very best resources that money can buy. Only the best Italian leather is used to construct each and every masterpiece!

We ship factory direct so that you don't have to pay a middle man for a mark up. This means you get the wholesale price and a great product at unbeatable prices! We can produce this piece in a rainbow of ultra high quality leather colors, or your choice of COM (customers own material) or COL (customers own leather).

Gibraltar is based in Beverly Hills California and can be found on the web at www.gibraltarfurniture.com. This firm has been in operation for over 50 years, and is an insider secret weapon for blue chip merchandise at warehouse prices. Yahoo reports that Gibraltar Furniture has "The best prices, models, and service of any site on the internet."

Harry Bertoia was a sculptor and furniture designer. He designed a series of these wire chairs for Knoll in the 1950's. The Bertoia Wire Chairs are now classic mid-twentieth century-American furniture icons. "If you look at the chairs, they are mainly made of air, like sculpture," said Bertoia. "Space passes through them."

A Google™ search indicates that one of the foremost sites for high end furniture at wholesale prices is Gibraltar. "This West coast internet pioneer features retro, modern, and post-modern furnishings at rock bottom prices. Gibraltar offers an exceptional array of wholesale, architectural, modern, high quality items at factory direct discount prices. Gibraltar Furniture is one of the leaders in the world of Internet modern architectural products. Gibraltar sells furniture manufactured in Italy, Asia, and the USA and all sales are tax free outside of California."

All of the world class leather that we use on all pieces is 100% European luxury grade material. Each high quality stainless steel frame is also imported to insure that you get only the very best resources that money can buy. Only the best Italian leather is used to construct each and every masterpiece!

We ship factory direct so that you don't have to pay a middle man for a mark up. This means you get the wholesale price and a great product at unbeatable prices! We can produce this piece in a rainbow of ultra high quality leather colors, or your choice of COM (customers own material) or COL (customers own leather).

Gibraltar is based in Beverly Hills California and can be found on the web at www.gibraltarfurniture.com. This firm has been in operation for over 50 years, and is an insider secret weapon for blue chip merchandise at warehouse prices. Yahoo reports that Gibraltar Furniture has "The best prices, models, and service of any site on the internet."

Harry Bertoia was a sculptor and furniture designer. He designed a series of these wire chairs for Knoll in the 1950's. The Bertoia Wire Chairs are now classic mid-twentieth century-American furniture icons. "If you look at the chairs, they are mainly made of air, like sculpture," said Bertoia. "Space passes through them."

A Google™ search indicates that one of the foremost sites for high end furniture at wholesale prices is Gibraltar. "This West coast internet pioneer features retro, modern, and post-modern furnishings at rock bottom prices. Gibraltar offers an exceptional array of wholesale, architectural, modern, high quality items at factory direct discount prices. Gibraltar Furniture is one of the leaders in the world of Internet modern architectural products. Gibraltar sells furniture manufactured in Italy, Asia, and the USA and all sales are tax free outside of California."

All of the world class leather that we use on all pieces is 100% European luxury grade material. Each high quality stainless steel frame is also imported to insure that you get only the very best resources that money can buy. Only the best Italian leather is used to construct each and every masterpiece!

We ship factory direct so that you don't have to pay a middle man for a mark up. This means you get the wholesale price and a great product at unbeatable prices! We can produce this piece in a rainbow of ultra high quality leather colors, or your choice of COM (customers own material) or COL (customers own leather).

Gibraltar is based in Beverly Hills California and can be found on the web at www.gibraltarfurniture.com. This firm has been in operation for over 50 years, and is an insider secret weapon for blue chip merchandise at warehouse prices. Yahoo reports that Gibraltar Furniture has "The best prices, models, and service of any site on the internet."

Harry Bertoia was a sculptor and furniture designer. He designed a series of these wire chairs for Knoll in the 1950's. The Bertoia Wire Chairs are now classic mid-twentieth century-American furniture icons. "If you look at the chairs, they are mainly made of air, like sculpture," said Bertoia. "Space passes through them."

A Google™ search indicates that one of the foremost sites for high end furniture at wholesale prices is Gibraltar. "This West coast internet pioneer features retro, modern, and post-modern furnishings at rock bottom prices. Gibraltar offers an exceptional array of wholesale, architectural, modern, high quality items at factory direct discount prices. Gibraltar Furniture is one of the leaders in the world of Internet modern architectural products. Gibraltar sells furniture manufactured in Italy, Asia, and the USA and all sales are tax free outside of California."

All of the world class leather that we use on all pieces is 100% European luxury grade material. Each high quality stainless steel frame is also imported to insure that you get only the very best resources that money can buy. Only the best Italian leather is used to construct each and every masterpiece!

We ship factory direct so that you don't have to pay a middle man for a mark up. This means you get the wholesale price and a great product at unbeatable prices! We can produce this piece in a rainbow of ultra high quality leather colors, or your choice of COM (customers own material) or COL (customers own leather).

Gibraltar is based in Beverly Hills California and can be found on the web at www.gibraltarfurniture.com. This firm has been in operation for over 50 years, and is an insider secret weapon for blue chip merchandise at warehouse prices. Yahoo reports that Gibraltar Furniture has "The best prices, models, and service of any site on the internet."

DWR sells the Barcelona Ottoman for $1930! Gibraltar offers the same piece, from another manufacture, for $1435 less. The design is exactly like the original at a fraction of the Knoll price! The main difference is that the official Knoll release comes with a certificate of authenticity and our copy does not.

A Google™ search indicates that one of the foremost sites for high end furniture at wholesale prices is Gibraltar. "This West coast internet pioneer features retro, modern, and post-modern furnishings at rock bottom prices. Gibraltar offers an exceptional array of wholesale, architectural, modern, high quality items at factory direct discount prices. Gibraltar Furniture is one of the leaders in the world of Internet modern architectural products. Gibraltar sells furniture manufactured in Italy, Asia, and the USA and all sales are tax free outside of California."

All of the world class leather that we use on all pieces are 100% European luxury grade material. Each high quality stainless steel frame is also imported to insure that you get only the very best resources that money can buy. Only the best Italian leather is used to construct each and every masterpiece!

We ship factory direct so that you don't have to pay a middle man for a mark up. This means you get the wholesale price and a great product at unbeatable prices! We can produce any piece in the Barcelona collection in a rainbow of ultra high quality leather colors, of your choice of COM (customers own material) or COL (customers own leather).

Gibraltar is based in Beverly Hills California and can be found on the web at www.gibraltarfurniture.com. This firm has been in operation for over 50 years, and is an insider secret weapon for blue chip merchandise at warehouse prices. Yahoo reports that Gibraltar Furniture has "The best prices, models, and service of any site on the internet. This store is nirvana for people who want Bauhaus, art deco, modern, mid century, or designer furniture at wholesale prices."

The Lounge Chair Wood (LCW) (also known as Low Chair Wood or Eames Plywood Lounge Chair) was designed by one of the most influential design teams of the Twentieth Century. This chair is considered a breakthrough in seating technology.

The LCW continues to be an icon of Modern Design style. The superb molded ply chair was hailed by Time Magazine as the Best Design of the 20th Century. Along with the Lounge Chair and Ottoman in leather, this may be one of the most recognized pieces in modern design history. Low-slung, with an expertly crafted molded plywood seat and back, this chair is extremely comfortable and built for longevity.

The piece was designed using technology for molding plywood that was developed prior to, and during, The Second World War. Previous to the American involvement the designers entered a line of furniture into the Museum of Modern Art's "Organic Furniture Competition" in 1940. The competition was set up to explore the natural evolution of furniture in response to the rapidly changing world. This entry was chosen as the winner of the competition. However, production of the initially designed chairs was postponed due to production difficulties, and then by the United States entry into WWII.

Initially the idea was to find a solution to providing affordable, comfortable furniture that could be easily mass produced. His entries into the Organic Furniture competition were designed to have the seat and backrest joined in a singe 'shell'. The plywood, however, was prone to cracking when bent into the sharp angles and had to be covered with upholstery. Through extensive trial and error a alternate solution was found: create two separate pieces for the seat and backrest, joined by a plywood lumbar support, with plywood legs.

The result was a comfortable chair with a sleek and modern appearance. The seat was joined to the lumbar support and legs with a series of four heavy rubber washers with nuts embedded in them (later these came to be called 'shock mounts'). The shock mounts were glued to the underside of the seat, and screwed in through the bottom of the chair. The backrest was also attached using shock mounts. The rubber mounts were pliable, allowing the backrest to flex when the chair is occupied.

This was one of the first examples of a chair with a responsive backrest. Gibraltar Furniture offers this unlicensed reproduction for only $295! We can delivery to you your choice of White Oak, Walnut, Ebony, or Red finish. Pony Cowhide finish available on Ebony or Walnut for just $130 more. The Ebony chair will have a black and white pony cowhide selected for it. The Walnut chair will feature a hide with white and deep browns. Dimensions are 21.5" W x 23" H x 27.5" D. Seat Height: 14.5"

.

Charles Eames was born in 1907 in Saint Louis, Missouri and briefly studied architecture at Washington University in St. Louis on an architectural scholarship. He proposed studying Frank Lloyd Wright to his professors, and when he would not cease his interest in modern architects, he was dismissed from the university. In the report describing why he was dismissed from the university, a professor wrote the comment, "His views were too modern."

A Google™ search indicates that one of the foremost sites for high end furniture at wholesale prices is Gibraltar. “This West coast internet pioneer features retro, modern, and post-modern furnishings at rock bottom prices. Gibraltar offers an exceptional array of wholesale, architectural, modern, high quality items at factory direct discount prices. Gibraltar Furniture is one of the leaders in the world of Internet modern architectural products. Gibraltar sells furniture manufactured in Italy, Asia, and the USA and all sales are tax free outside of California.”

All of these products are inspired by the Charles and Ray Eames. Gibraltar Furniture is not a Herman Miller dealer. These products are not associated, connected, manufactured, sponsored, or affiliated with Herman Miller or the Eames estate. In addition Charles Eames has not originated, sponsored, or approved any of our Eames style products. This is not a Herman Miller Eames product but has the exact look, feel, and design of the original release.

]]> http://gibraltarfurniture.wordpress.com/?p=31 Wed, 04 Jun 2008 22:22:57 +0000 gibraltarfurniture http://gibraltarfurniture.wordpress.com/?p=31 Gibraltar Furniture (www.gibraltarfurniture.com) showcases the Eames Lounge chair for only $ 2,049.00! Designers and architects consider Gibraltar (800 416-3635) an insider secret weapon for blue chip merchandise at warehouse prices. A Yahoo report concluded that this Beverly Hills based store has “The best prices, models, and service of any site on the internet. This store is nirvana for people who want Bauhaus, art deco, modern, mid century, or designer furniture at wholesale prices.”

DWR sells this for $4499 for Palisander and $ 3599 for the walnut version. This architectural master piece was first produced as a birthday present for noted Hollywood producer Billy Wilder. It has played an important part in furniture history and occurs a prominent place in the hall of design fame

The Eames Lounge Chair is commonly considered a high point in mid century functional furniture art. It is universally recognized as one of the most important icons of 20th century furniture design. This two piece set represents the zenith of Charles and Ray Eames' efforts to create a club chair using the molded plywood technology that they originated in the '40s. In Charles Eames' words, the idea was a chair with the "warm, receptive look of a well-used first baseman's mitt." Their vision created the penultimate lounge set, timelessly blending old-fashioned comfort and futuristic modernism.

Charles Eames was born in 1907 in Saint Louis, Missouri and briefly studied architecture at Washington University in St. Louis on an architectural scholarship. He proposed studying Frank Lloyd Wright to his professors, and when he would not cease his interest in modern architects, he was dismissed from the university. In the report describing why he was dismissed from the university, a professor wrote the comment, "His views were too modern."

We use only the best quality leathers on our classic product. Our master craftsmen use 100% imported Italian full aniline hides to insure that this soft leather receives full penetration. Then the material is drum dyed for total soaking. This produces smoother leather those ages without cracks and tears.This Lounge Chair features rich wood trim and full-grain leather, atop an aluminum polished, black lacquered swivel base.

The seat and back are crafted out of molded 7 ply veneer on a molded plywood frame. The base is cast from aluminum with chrome detail, and the cushions are covered with fine imported leather. The cushions contain urethane foam padding and this imported classic comes complete with fine stainless steel glides. We offer this model in wide array of leather color with your choice of Walnut or Rosewood outer veneer shell finish.

A Google™ search indicates that one of the foremost sites for high end furniture at wholesale prices is Gibraltar. “This West coast internet pioneer features retro, modern, and post-modern furnishings at rock bottom prices. Gibraltar offers an exceptional array of wholesale, architectural, modern, high quality items at factory direct discount prices. Gibraltar Furniture is one of the leaders in the world of Internet modern architectural products. Gibraltar sells furniture manufactured in Italy, Asia, and the USA and all sales are tax free outside of California.”

All of these products are inspired by the Charles and Ray Eames. Gibraltar Furniture is not a Herman Miller dealer. These products are not associated, connected, manufactured, sponsored, or affiliated with Herman Miller or the Eames estate. In addition Charles Eames has not originated, sponsored, or approved any of our Eames style products. This is not a Herman Miller Eames product but has the exact look, feel, and design of the original release.

DWR sells the Barcelona Ottoman for $1930! Gibraltar offers the same piece, from another manufacture, for $1435 less. The design is exactly like the original at a fraction of the Knoll price! The main difference is that the official Knoll release comes with a certificate of authenticity and our copy does not.

A Google™ search indicates that one of the foremost sites for high end furniture at wholesale prices is Gibraltar. "This West coast internet pioneer features retro, modern, and post-modern furnishings at rock bottom prices. Gibraltar offers an exceptional array of wholesale, architectural, modern, high quality items at factory direct discount prices. Gibraltar Furniture is one of the leaders in the world of Internet modern architectural products. Gibraltar sells furniture manufactured in Italy, Asia, and the USA and all sales are tax free outside of California."

All of the world class leather that we use on all pieces are 100% European luxury grade material. Each high quality stainless steel frame is also imported to insure that you get only the very best resources that money can buy. Only the best Italian leather is used to construct each and every masterpiece!

We ship factory direct so that you don't have to pay a middle man for a mark up. This means you get the wholesale price and a great product at unbeatable prices! We can produce any piece in the Barcelona collection in a rainbow of ultra high quality leather colors, of your choice of COM (customers own material) or COL (customers own leather).

Gibraltar is based in Beverly Hills California and can be found on the web at www.gibraltarfurniture.com. This firm has been in operation for over 50 years, and is an insider secret weapon for blue chip merchandise at warehouse prices. Yahoo reports that Gibraltar Furniture has "The best prices, models, and service of any site on the internet. This store is nirvana for people who want Bauhaus, art deco, modern, mid century, or designer furniture at wholesale prices."

The Barcelona chair and ottoman set was designed by the legendary modernist architect, Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe, for the German pavilion at the 1929 International Exhibition held in Spain. The Barcelona chair and ottoman has become an icon of important chair design. This legendary design resulted from a partnership between the famous Bauhaus architect Mies van der Rohe and his long time associate and companion, the architect and designer, Lilly Reich. Only recently have the contributions for Reich been acknowledged. The Pavilion or Barcelona chair is an icon of the "modern classical" style. Its design was inspired by its predecessors, the campaign and folding chairs of the Pharaohs and the Romans.

Our Barcelona chair and ottoman set is an ultra high quality product using premium solid-core stainless steel flat bar which is hand-made using classic welding and bending techniques. Our frames are NOT made using lower cost carbon steel, which may be chrome-plated hollow tubes and then bolted/screwed together. Multiple colors and grades of premium top grain Italian leather are available for your design requirements. Each square of leather is hand selected, piped, tufted and individually sewn by expert leather craftsmen. Three types of highly resilient foam are used to provide the proper amount of plush comfort and firm support. The cushions rest upon a suspended network of saddle leather belt straps. We created our Barcelona chair with great ergonomic attention. With good lumbar support, this is the most comfortable Barcelona chairs in production today.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW ALL MODERN OUTDOOR FURNITURE ITEMS

Remember, this offer ends May 31st, 2008 so get your orders in now to take advantage of this promotion!

CLICK HERE TO SHOP NOW

Serralunga is an Italian company located in Biella. This venerable company has a tradition of more than 170 years in container production. Born before the industrial revolution, the company has recently changed material typology from traditional clay pots to futuristic models. Serralunga's concept is to feature classical design lines and highlight post-modern shapes.

Today Serralunga is the leader in the production of contemporary style flower pots, vases, and containers. The designers have paid close attention to polymer evolution and have applied new plastic technology to current articles, keeping their use and functionality unchanged. Serralunga pays maximum attention to creativity, aesthetics and functional details. Last but not least, Serralunga spotlights traditional Italian prose, beauty, and style in every piece.

These pieces will accent your outdoor space perfectly, and come in a huge variety of colors and sizes to fit your customized taste. Pair them with your favorite modern outdoor patio furniture and you'll have a winning combination!

But, better still, there was more than just a casual interest in the glossy crystal acrylic finishes, unique soft-closing mechanisms and Asian-inspired furniture on display at the Singapore Mozaic booth.

'We've received very positive reviews about our designs,' says Kee Ai Nah, retail, furniture, textile and apparel director of Spring Singapore. 'They know it's not a copycat thing that we're trying to pull off here.'

Led by the Singapore Furniture Industries Council (SFIC) under the umbrella banner of Singapore Mozaic, the companies taking part in the debut showcase were: Koda, Star Furniture Industries, Getz Gallery in collaboration with design studio HybridMatter, The Life Shop and Air Division. Each company's strengths were highlighted in a diverse range of contemporary design-led furniture, from The Life Shop's Asian-inspired teak pieces to Star Furniture's high-gloss and veneer bedroom set.

Elsewhere in Milan, Singapore design was in the spotlight at diverse events around town. At Zona Tortona, the most popular area for individual design shows, DesignSingapore scholars Hans Tan and Hunn Wai presented their latest collections in separate group shows led by their alma mater, Design Academy Eindhoven, while DesignSingapore Council exhibited Blueprint 2008, featuring furniture designed by Jason Ong, Jarrod Lim, Gabriel Tan, Wendy Chua, P C Ee, Brian Law and Tan Sixiu. Two of them - Jarrod Lim and P C Ee - also showed their work with Singapore-based manufacturing and design company Exit at Salone Satellite, the show for young designers.

This year marks Singapore's largest entry in recent times to Milan during what's known as design week, which celebrates furniture, product and industrial design both at the Salone del Mobile and in over 400 stores, galleries and exhibition spaces all over the city.

'We're just very happy to be given the opportunity to be here,' says Ms Kee of the modest 700 sq ft space that Singapore Mozaic was allocated in Hall 13 at the fair. 'It has been impossible for the last 10 years.'

The reason for this can be attributed to the selectiveness of the organisers at the always over-subscribed fair. 'We've always applied - but after we submit our companies' profiles and designs they come back to say that they have 200 to 300 companies on the waiting list,' says SFIC's executive director Shermaine Ong.

It was a different story in the mid-1980s to 1990s, when Singapore furniture companies were a hot commodity in Europe, thanks to their competitive manufacturing ability and low prices. Back then, local manufacturers had a strong presence in Milan, occupying an entire hall at the then-smaller furniture fair.

Ernie Koh, senior vice-president of marketing for Koda, recalls the glory days. 'In the mid-80s, International Enterprise Singapore (then known as the Singapore Trade Development Board) led a group of companies to the Salone Internazionale del Mobile. Business was fantastic - they were literally lining up to order.'

But since the furniture trade started to focus on design as well as production capabilities, Singapore has been fighting to get its foot back in. 'Singapore was still a very competitive source of manufacturing, and we were known for our reliability. Over time, we became very expensive,' explains Mr Koh. 'We could not compete without having an additional edge.'

Mr Koh is back in Milan this year, this time armed with Koda's expertise in product design and workmanship. The new, design-led contingent proposed a hopeful repositioning of made-in-Singapore furniture - that is, designed in Singapore, with manufacturing based in the region.

As SFIC president Andrew Ng puts it: 'Shanghai was the third-largest furniture supplier in the world last year, but this year they've overtaken Italy to take the second spot. Our guys have facilities in China, Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam, so we are three up on China.'

He cites the brand equity of Singapore, with efficient infrastructure and transparent business practices as leverage, but is quick to admit that 'we are a small stone in a big sea. We are fighting with very major players, which is why we set up Singapore Mozaic so we can showcase the finest quality and design that we can come up with'.

The value of Singapore furniture exports stands at $3.4 billion currently. SFIC hopes to increase its share of the world furniture export market from 0.7 per cent to 2 per cent by the year 2015.

'It's our first entry into this market, and it takes us a while to really understand the needs of this market,' says Mr Ng. 'Some are very experienced producers, like Koda, and then there are newcomers such as Air Division. Even if they don't sell, they're here to gain experience as well, which is important.'

The experience they've gained so far? Star Furniture Industries' international marketing manager Susan Wu has noticed a difference among the fairs the company has participated in, such as in Cologne, Singapore, Malaysia and China. 'The customers here are different, their emphasis is on design, rather than prices. These are completely new leads that we are getting here - you wouldn't see them in the other fairs.'

A big player in the local market, Star Furniture Industries has an annual output of US$27 million and has established markets in the UK, France, Spain, Cyprus, the Middle East, Australia, The Netherlands, Canada, Japan, Taiwan and the Philippines.

'Visitors to our booth think our prices are good, and the quality is very good,' says Ms Wu. 'The problem is a matter of how to bring in our products. They need to explore issues such as duty, Custom clearance, warehousing and logistics. They're used to working with European firms, who transport by trucking, which is faster and more flexible than shipping, and the quantities required are smaller.'

Challenging hurdle

It's a similar story for Koda, whose biggest concern is the quantity customers are able to order. 'That is a challenging hurdle for us, because we require volume in order to fulfil them,' says Mr Koh. But he has noticed an opening in the market: 'Italy is traditionally a strong manufacturing country, but with the rising costs and the euro being so strong, they are looking into imports too.'

For smaller companies such as The Life Shop and Air Division, which have a smaller capacity and are much more design-led, this has been a very good show for them, as the fair draws mainly architects and retail buyers who are looking for designer furniture in smaller quantities suitable for development projects and retail stores.

The Life Shop, which already has established markets in Europe, has also drawn a lot of interest from existing customers who have introduced them to affiliated retail buyers. But there is one unexpected obstacle regarding their design material: 'We have to propose a new wood for our designs, as the Europeans are concerned about the environmental friendliness of their furniture,' says Marfo'ah Ahmad, sales and marketing manager. 'Teak is a no-no.'

The success of the Singapore contingent remains to be seen, but so far, the response has been encouraging, with each company in the negotiating process with a list of potential project as well as retail buyers from European countries from Cyprus to the Czech Republic.

At Salone Satellite, Exit's show was also swarming with curious visitors, and the designers had numerous enquiries from galleries and manufacturers who were keen on working with them. By the third day, P C Ee's sculptural, stainless steel Before and After chaise longue had been sold to a private collector from the UK, and Jarrod Lim was approached by a prestigious Italian manufacturer to produce his magazine rack.

But it wasn't only the commercially feasible, mass-oriented works that were in demand; the daring, conceptual chairs and shelving designs by Hunn Wai also drew numerous offers by galleries keen on exhibiting his work, as well as architects who wanted to reproduce them for commercial projects.

Simon Ong, chairman of SFIC's Design Development Committee, says: 'It's a good start. We hope that we can create awareness amongst both customers and designers that Singapore is different from the rest of the Asian countries. In the future, we hope to work with Italian designers and bring them here.'

Source : Business Times - 2 May 2008

The “Outdoor Living Collection” is a series of ultramodern modular units that re-define the landscape of exterior design. The compilation consists of “The Sphere,” “The Vase," The Column,” and “The Egg”. All of the materials are weather resistant and designed to live outside.

The “Outdoor Living Collection” is a group of geometric interlocking pieces that can be stacked to save space and create magnificent art based installations when exhibited in their full glory. This stacking method also helps keep the seats and table top clean and protected from the elements while not in use.

These all weather units are destined for big things. Neiman Marcus will be showing the collection as the “must have” item for use this summer.

The "Sphere" stacking patio furniture set is a creative and handy arrangement for outdoor seating environments. The 5 pieces (4 chairs and a table) load into a single orb resembling a giant golf ball. The set is easy to disassemble and features 5 stylish pieces of patio furniture that look great in any environment. The materials are weather resistant and designed for indoor/outdoor use. When stacked, the entire "golf ball" has a 43.34" diameter at its largest point, and stands 43.34" tall.

The "Vase" stacking patio furniture set is an artistic and convenient system for outdoor furniture. This assortment has a large vessel type shape that resembles a grand vase or sculpture on your patio. The unit is easy to disassemble and features 5 stylish pieces (4 chairs and a table) of patio furniture that look great in a multitude of settings. The materials are weather resistant and designed to be outside. When stacked, the entire Vessel has a diameter of 27.5" at its largest point, and stands 63" tall.

"Column" stacking patio furniture set is imaginative and creative furniture at its finest. The 5 pieces (4 chairs and a table) mount into a striking hourglass shape that stores like a pillar or sculpture on your patio. This compilation will sparkle in any environment.

The "Egg" stacking patio furniture set is an inventive and handy seating constellation. The 5 pieces (4 chairs and a table) lock into a futuristic-looking capsule shape. The set is easy to dismantle and features 5 stylish pieces of patio furniture that look great in a multitude of settings. The materials are weather resistant and designed to be outside. When stacked, the capsule has a diameter of 27.2" at its largest point, and stands approximately 47.3" tall.

Gibraltar Furniture www.gibraltarfurniture.com is a top secret weapon web site for buying first rate imported products at wholesale! This Beverly Hills store sells designer items from Europe, America, and Asia at wholesale prices to the public.

Gibraltar offers the entire line of products from the Architectural Pottery collection, Art Watches Atali, Ameico, Aluma, Ann Kersen, Ares Line, AV, Ballfinger Lighting, Brave Space Design, Burhans, Beau & Bien, Carl Martens, Compar, Conmoto Fireplaces, Dams, Dare Décor, David Edward, Davis, DHD Lighting, Diamond Teak, Ezgo, Fabulux, Firefarm, Gaia & Gino, Girari, Gordon International, Gray, Havaseat Chairs, Jeep, Knu, Innovation, IQMatics, Janke, Jet Age, Kenshoma, Logical Progression, Litto Kids, Lucein Gau, Lunar Lounge, Maku, Malik, Modloft, MunNimulA, Newform, Not Neutral, Ogus Design Lighting, Ooba, Offi, Oeuf, OFM, The Phillips Collection, Plodes Design, Produzione Privata, Serralunga, Spazia. Stig Hansen, Straifht Line Designs, Studio4LA, Swanky Design, Touch Design/Lighting, Trevi Outdoor, Veneman Outdoor Colection, True Modern, Venini Artlight, Vig, Zuo Modern, 100Times Better among others.

Gibraltar Furniture offers architectural office and home furniture at wholesale prices. We feature discount major brand, world famous designer leather/metal/wood furnishings & seating factory direct to you!

LIKE many Singaporean home owners, personal banker Karen Teo has furnished her five-room HDB flat in Sengkang with pieces of furniture that are well-known in the design world.

TIGHT BUDGET: Ms Karen Teo and Mr Jeremy Lee bought Arco lamp and Bombo stool lookalikes for their home in Sengkang. -- PHOTOS: BETTY CHUA FOR THE STRAITS TIMES, FLOS

In her bedroom is the ubiquitous arched stainless steel standing lamp. And in her living room, by the bar counter, stand two bar stools that often grace the pages of home decor magazines.

But while they look very much like the Arco lamp and the Bombo stool, they are not the real thing. They are lookalikes.

Ms Teo and her engineer husband Jeremy Lee, both 27, had a tight budget when they were furnishing their home three years ago. They set aside $30,000 for furnishings, including electronics.

To stretch their dollar, they hunted for bargains and found furniture shops in Sungei Kadut, where 'you can get designer-inspired pieces at a fraction of the price', she says.

Then, she bought her Arco lookalike for $440 and her bar stools for $99 each. An Arco lamp from Space Furniture at Millenia Walk costs $4,225, while a Bombo stool from X-tra Living at Park Mall costs $920.

'They were designer pieces that I wanted, but I didn't want to pay too much for them so this is the next best option,' she reasons.

As Singaporeans become more house-proud, home owners who covet designer pieces but do not have the budget for them are turning to more affordable reproductions.

The Arco lamp, by Italian designers Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni, is one of the most copied items in the market, thanks to its distinctive design. Half the lighting shops that line Balestier Road and Geylang carry Arco lookalikes, mostly from China and Taiwan.

They look almost like the real McCoy, but there are differences. While the Arco uses Italian Carrera marble for its base, the cheaper alternatives use marble from China or India. Also, some arches are made of a circular stainless steel tube instead of a rectangular one.

Mr Aman Heng, general manager of Light Image Holdings which has a chain of lighting stores, says such pieces are popular with home owners who are not particular about whether the lamp is an original or a copy.

'They are happy just to have the same design,' says Mr Heng, 43. 'It also fits those with tight budgets.' His new shipment of Arco lookalikes will come in at the end of the month, and he says they will go for at least $600.

A spokesman for Lush in Upper Paya Lebar Road, which sells designer reproductions, says such items are also popular with interior designers who do up showflats, as 'they don't want to spend too much on the pieces'.

The store sells about 20 Arco copies a month, each going for $580. In comparison, Space Furniture sells about 200 to 250 Arco lamps a year.

At Dream Interiors in River Valley Road, a dealer for Knoll furniture, a Barcelona chair starts at $8,000. Compare this with a reproduction which costs $1,300, and it's not surprising that budget-conscious consumers opt for the cheaper one.

There is a reason the designer classics are costly.

Dream Interiors owner Shawn Tan says the high prices are due to the meticulous manufacturing process, the quality of materials used and, most importantly, the intellectual input from the designers.

Using German-born American architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe's Barcelona chair as an example, Mr Tan, 37, points out that even though the chair was designed in 1929, it still looks modern today. That shows that the design was ahead of its time.

Physician Wong Tien Hua, who has several designer pieces such as an Eames surfboard table in his bungalow in Bukit Timah, says he buys only the real pieces even though they cost more.

'The quality is better and you're buying into the history as well,' says Dr Wong, 38.

Even in the reproduction industry, retailers say there are different grades of products. 'The copy must be as close to the original as possible,' says Mr P.C. Ee, 36, owner of Exit Design Studios, which carries a range of designer reproduction furniture.

Retailers say they tend to favour items from Australia, Thailand, Vietnam and Taiwan, which produce better reproductions. Some retailers avoid reproductions from China because they tend to be poorer copies, even though they are cheaper.

Mr Lorgan Wong, 49, owner of Lorgan's which carries second-hand and reproduction retro pieces, says he doesn't carry items from China because 'they are not close enough to the original'.

As for the legal implications of copyright breaches, the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore, which looks after intellectual property of individuals and companies, says it does not handle such matters.

Industry players say the copyright infringement issues against those who produce copies are usually undertaken by the respective companies' headquarters, which are mostly overseas.

Retailers that Life! spoke to say they make it a point to inform customers that the pieces are reproductions.

'We tell them these are not original pieces, so the price is much lower,' says Mr Ee.

As for copyright issues, retailers resort to two avenues to get around the problem.

'We cannot use the original names. Instead we give it a code number,' says Mr Ee.

Others, such as Lorgan's Mr Wong, use phrases such as 'Eames-style' or 'Eames-era' to describe a reproduction of a recliner.

The other method is to copy the design but use dimensions that are different from the original, such as making it slightly smaller. Some manufacturers also use different materials from the original.

Fighting back

THE manufacturers of the originals are understandably not happy to let reproductions flood the market.

Italian lighting manufacturer Flos, which makes the Arco lamp, has taken legal action worldwide against manufacturers of Arco lamp copies.

This includes sending a warning letter from the company's lawyer, as well as removing imitations from the market. Flos says most such cases have been with European retailers, and it has not taken any legal action in Singapore in the last five years.

A spokesman for the company says the hunt for imitation manufacturers is not easy because 'as soon as one manufacturer is discovered and stopped, a new one starts'.

Finland's Artek, which produces designer classics such as the Alvar Aalto Armchair 400, says it has also taken legal action against those who make copies of Artek pieces.

But a spokesman says 'legal action was costly and in the end it has no long-term effect', as imitation pieces still pop up. 'However, we have not given up. We just find other ways more effective than legal action,' he adds.

Artek wants to educate consumers on why they should buy originals.

It hopes that consumers will understand that Artek products have the quality to last through generations, and that it uses only materials that come from environmentally sustainable forests.

Still, that is not stopping Singaporeans from buying copies of the high-priced items.

Corporate communications manager Raymond Lim, who has an Arco lamp lookalike in his four-room HDB flat in Tiong Bahru, says he is not a 'designer furniture freak' but just loves tastefully designed pieces.

He first saw the Arco when he was 16, but didn't realise then that it was considered a designer classic. 'But I told myself I must have this lamp in my home one day,' he says.

Now 29, he bought a lookalike at a lighting shop in Balestier Road for a mere $200. 'It fits my budget. The brand is not important but the design must be appealing,' he says, of his Arco copy that is made in China.

Source : Straits Times - 1 Mar 2008

The Knoll version is also a reproduction!

Florence Knoll made a deal with the designer to reproduce the visionary x shaped chair for commercial use in Chicago. However, even in Florence Knoll’s early reproductions of the Barcelona chair, modifications were made from the prototype. Photos of the original chairs show that the cushion tufts were diamond patterned, not squares. And though the original chair frames were built of nine steel components bolted together, Knoll opted for seamless welding. She kept the chrome-plated steel until the advent of polished stainless in 1964, which cost more but, unlike some chrome applications, didn’t peel.

The longstanding debate around the issue of "real" vs. reproduction Barcelona Chairs is quickly rising to an out-and-out fever pitch on the internet. So why the hubbub? The intensity of interest would seem to indicate a widespread and abiding dedication, if not an obsession, with this mid century design masterpiece. Internet chat forums on the subject attract amazing numbers of inquisitive and surprisingly well informed visitors and posters. One forum alone http://www.designaddict.com has seen 42,000 + visitors to their Barcelona thread - between its inception in October 2002 and the beginning of 2005.

So what's all the commotion about? We need to take close up look to see what everyone is talking about here to compare the differences.

Reproductions: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

Here is a close up of the GibraltarFurniture.com model of the Barcelona Chair. Note that the lines are perfect and that the entire frame is made out of polished stainless steel. All of the angles are exactly like original.

Many of the low price knock offs you'll find elsewhere simply use pig iron dipped in chrome. In comparison you will find that the stainless steel upgrade that Gibraltar offers has a highly polished effect that outshines chrome. In addition, the problem with chrome is that it peels off over time. It's also subject to corrosion, scratches, and deterioration. In the end you will have a piece of furniture that is compromised and second rate.

In particular, buyers should look for models that use premium 12MM thickness solid imported stainless steel (no. 304) on the narrow parts and higher gauge for the frame. For instance the Gibraltar Barcelona flat bars frames are made of 32MM wide stainless steel. Solid stainless steel frames create excellent strength, polishing ability, and springing capability. These structures are usually 20% thicker and stronger the other entries in this filed. Such frames have superior resistance to oxidation or corrosion.

Here is a picture of a Gibraltar Barcelona Ottoman compared to an inferior Barcelona Ottoman that you can find on the internet. The leather that the manufactures use is often sourced from water buffalo or pigs. Many producers of low cost imitations also use leather match or poly vinyl chloride covering.

Insist on Italian leathers that has top grain to (aniline) full grain covers. This insures that the color is consistent throughout your chair. Avoid lesser models that employ leathers that are highly corrected from China. Don't be surprised if you end up with a very strong odor from these chairs.

When you examine a cheap imported chair you may notice that the leather is embossed with faux grain and is very uniform. This is a result of man made engineered material that is composed of scrap and bits and pieces that are bonded together artificially.

Keep in mind there are no 2 leathers alike. Many low price releases use split leathers (that are low in grade) and stamp a faux top grain pattern on the top or leather match material...

For leather that has the softest touch, consider purchasing full naked aniline leather instead.

Since 2000, a flood of super cheap Barcelona imports has been dumped into the market place. The models are usually composed of cheap steel cast in China and the frames have a nickel content is much lower than the Gibraltar or Knoll version.

The end result is rust and or corrosion. The frames are fabricated from molds with molten steel dumped into them. What is little known is that casting metal in this fashion is one of the cheapest ways of creating frames. The end result in using these molds is that pit holes can form during polishing phase. Such pits can lead to frame failure. These models usually sell for $399-$799 on the internet but cannot match the leather, strength, and quality of the solid spring steel used in the Gibraltar version and the Knoll $5,000 versions.

Look for chair cushions that use high density (2lb) fire-rated foam. This will give your Barcelona chair longevity, performance and a look that will last for years.

Avoid low density foam which will lose shape in a very short period of time.

On the original the back cushion rise about 1 inch over the stainless steel frame. Both the Knoll and the Gibraltar version have a height of 31 inches. On the other hand the cheaper Chinese knock offs are WAY OUT of proportion compared to the original version. They tend to sit very awkwardly and are totally out of proportion to the original. Some models are up to 34 inches high.

When analyzing Barcelona chairs cushions, make sure they cushions have Italian leather on ALL sides. This is not a standard feature for many lower prices chairs. Make sure that the model you select has Italian Leather all of the way around it. Though some of these chairs say their leather is "Italian", you will often see that the leather is actually coming from China. These chairs may have a strong odor and are very offensive.

Make sure that your cushions are attached with buckles and or straps that are hidden from general view. With many lower priced models the attachment hardware is completely totally viewable from the rear of the chair.

Knoll is currently actively engaged in an attempt to scare away retailers and manufactures from selling any Barcelona product. The manufacturer is currently in litigation to choke off any non-Knoll entries into the marketplace

To win a judgment, Knoll's lawyers would have to convince a jury that there is a "likelihood of confusion" in the mind of the consumer. And to the undiscerning eye, often the cheap reproductions are quite similar to the originals, varying only in small changes of width or height, or the thickness of the frame. Most experts regard this as saber ratting and ignore their efforts to stymie competitors.

David Harrison, a trademark lawyer at Rosen & Livingston in New York reports that after 75 years, the design for the Barcelona chair is in the public domain. Knoll can do little more than "make a lot of noise”.

James Biber, an architect at the firm Pentagram, sympathizes with consumers. Knockoffs, if done faithfully, make classic furniture available to a wider range of people and "Spread awareness of good design. Consumers usually can't tell the difference unless they turn it over and look at the label.”

High Quality Reproductions made with 100% Italian Leather at GibraltarFurniture.com

Click Here to browse the Barcelona Series Furniture at GibraltarFurniture.com

We love doing business with all sorts of customers from home owners to Architectural firms and designers. Feel free to contact us with any questions you might have!

Gibraltar's Toll Free Number: 1-800-416-3635

Email: sales@gibraltarfurniture.com

Like all style icons, the Egg chair has spawned an entire genre of similar chair designs. It’s groundbreaking look was the inspiration behind other design classics, the best of which have to be Eero Arnio’s 1960s range of futuristic seating, including the Ball Chair, Bubble Chair and Pastil Chair.

The egg chair is still influencing furniture design to this day and this is evident in the manufacture and supply of hotel furniture by companies such as Design-at-Knightsbridge. Modern Retro swivel chairs are common place in homes, bars and nightclubs throughout the country and figure hugging tub chairs, reminiscent of this 50 year old style icon, have become a common feature in slick city centre hotels.

Perhaps a week later, after more window shopping around town, we picked up a copy of what was to become our Window Shopping Bible, Design Lines Toronto, Fall 2007 issue, which lays out all the go-to places for designer furniture in Toronto, organized by neighbourhood. I don't know that we realized the calibre, and price range, of the vast majority of locales covered in this magazine. Once we started browsing, it didn't seem to matter. We were going to furnish our space the way we liked. Money no object.

Since we were, at that time, in designer mode (or La La Land), we didn't bat an eyelash before stopping in to Klaus by Nienkämper as we made our way across the King Street East stretch of high-end furniture stores. Klaus is a designer furniture showroom where, should you have the funds and interest, you can acquire your very own set of Daniel Liebskind chairs exactly like the ones on display at the new entrance to the Royal Ontario Museum. It was here I was almost convinced that designer furniture was for me. One look at this TAFEL Table Bench and I was intrigued.

When my mother and I sat down across from each other (not without some balance issues-- it felt a little bit like being on a see-saw), I was hooked. I hadn't been aware of the existence of a single piece of furniture that combined table, wall and seating, and I wouldn't have thought I would have a use for a diner-like unit in my bedroom, but all of a sudden it seemed like the perfect piece.

Until I saw the price tag: approximately $10,000. So that was out.

Although, to be honest, by that time, not only my $700-desk but this $10,000 item was starting to seem reasonable. Earlier in the afternoon, following a quick stop at Fluid Living in the Distillery District, we had arrived at Roche-Bobois. We had deliberately sought this place out after seeing their ad in Design Lines. The photograph in the advertisement was similar to the one below, showing the Mah Jong seating system, first designed in the 1970s by Hans Hopfer, upholstered this time around in Kenzo Maison fabrics.

Clueless about the who's who in designer furniture, and boldly unperturbed by the Parisian name of the store, we walked in thinking we had found the solution for our loft-style second-floor bedroom, a.k.a my bedroom. It has a slanted ceiling because it is that close to the roof so 'low-to-the-ground all around' seemed a good design approach.

Imagine our surprise when we eye the price tag for the displayed seating arrangement and find it to be an incredible $25,000, with each individual cushion priced at $700-$2,000! We spent the rest of the time in the store looking amusingly at other items and their price tags: 'Oh, this is only $5,000? What a steal! We'll take it!' This remained comical price tag after price tag. Our only regret was leaving the store without at least trying out the cushions.

I don't want to leave the impression that there weren't a few affordable stores out there. After coming to terms with the fact that certain places were (financially speaking) out of our league—which doesn't mean they aren't worth a visit, as you can always get design ideas to replicate more cheaply, no?—, we were pleasantly surprised by two more mid-range furniture stores: EQ3 and Visitor Parking, both also in the King Street East area. Visitor Parking had this beautiful desk I almost went with in the (by now acceptable to me) $700-range. But many of their furnishings are made of compressed wood and veneer, which my mother was originally reluctant to go with.

We finally bought our first piece of new furniture from Morningstar, a specialist in imports from India off the main furniture grids. It wasn't for my room, but it's a great, solid wood piece we use as a TV stand and media storage unit.

Indeed, all this window shopping and after three weeks, I still hadn't found a desk that I knew was The One. Where did I finally find it? On Craigslist, of course. And what was it? IKEA. I guess I haven't outgrown my student lifestyle just yet...

(...Not that Craigslist doesn't do 'designer'... hurry, and a unique art-deco-inspired table, two suede tango chairs or a Joe Colombo Boby Trolley storage unit could still be yours. I'm not being facetious, these are actually some pretty great deals...)

__________

The Art Shoppe | 2131 Yonge Street

Klaus by Nienkämper | 300 King Street East

Fluid Living | 55 Mill Street, Building No. 8

Roche-Bobois | 101 Parliament Street

EQ3 | 222 King Street East

Visitor Parking | 254 King Street East

Morningstar Trading Co. | 680 Yonge Street & 388 Roncesvalles Avenue

Born in 1929 in Oster Vra, Denmark, Poul Kjaerholm began as a cabinetmaker's apprentice. He finished his understudy as a cabinet maker with Grønbech in 1948, and graduated from the School of Arts and Crafts in Copenhagen in 1952 with the PK25 chair that is still produced by Fritz Hansen.

In 1955, Poul Kjaerholm released the famous PK22, for which he received the Lunning Award. In 1958, he became an assistant at the Royal Danish Academy of Arts in Copenhagen, and a lecturer in 1959. He became head of the Institute for Design in 1973, and finally professor in 1976 until his premature death in 1980. During these years he designed dozens of chairs, lounge chairs, and tables that became landmarks for Danish furniture design, including the famous PK24 lounge chair.

Most of his furniture was produced by his friend E. Kold Christensen in Hellerup.
His designs are in the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the V&A Museum in London, and other museum collections in Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Germany. He won numerous awards in industrial and graphic design, including two Grand Prix at the Milan Trienale (1957 & 1960), the ID Award, and the legendary Lunning Award.
Fritz Hansen is the official source for the entire Poul Kjaerholm series. This venerable Danish manufacturer offers high-end product at stratospheric prices. We recommend the Frit Hansen line to all of our customers where money is of no object. However, not all collectors have unlimited funds.
Gibraltar Furniture is a good resource for design addicts looking for top-rate Poul Kjaerholm inspired reproductions of the originals at popular prices. All of the materials, design lines, and specs for all of the Gibraltar releases are the same as the European manufacturers. Gibraltar out-sources the production of these design classics to our overseas factories in order to cut labor costs. We use the same high quality imported leather, wicker, and stainless steel frames that the Danish manufacturers use.

We only accept the very best, imported, quality items at Gibraltar! This applies to the quality of hides as well as the fabrics that we use on all Poul Kjaerholm products. Consequently, we have chosen the finest suppliers for all of our raw materials. For instance, we insist on using only 100% imported Italian leather. The hides must be of superlative quality. We insist that every manufacturing detail conforms to the original lines. Craftsmanship, sewing and upholstery are a huge priority to us. In the end, the biggest difference that you will notice is the large sum of money that you will save via Gibraltar vs. the European makers.

Historically, most of Poul Kjaerholm’s pieces have been priced at astronomically high levels. For instance, the PK22 retails for $3,655.00 at Hive Modern. Gibraltar is proud to offer a similar piece for only $1,475.00!

Similarly, the PK24 Chaise Lounge in Wicker/Leather is offered at $11,732.00 at Retro Modern. Gibraltar sells an item of similar design for only $1,500.00. A wise consumer would end up saving over $10,000 by going with the Beverly Hills 90210 version instead of the higher priced Fritz Hansen original design.

The PK20 Easy Chair in Leather will run you $8,576.00 from Retro Modern. You can get a replica of this release from Gibraltar for only $1,475.00. With the additional savings, you could plan a trip to Denmark for your entire family.

Gibraltar offers the entire line of products from Compar, David Edward, Davis Furniture, Fabulux, Firefarm, Girari, Gordon International, Grey, Havaseat Chairs, Innovation, IQMatics, Janke, Jet Age, Kenshoma, Litto Kids, Lunar Lounge, Malik, Ooba, Oeuf, Offi, OFM, Ogus Design, The Phillips Collection, Serralunga, Studio4LA, Touch Design/Lighting, Trevi Outdoor, the Vessel Architectural Pottery collection, Zuo Modern, and 100 Times Better, among others.

For additional information on the news that is the subject of this release, please contact Bradley Friedman, Director of Pubic Relations, via email.

Images for all products can be obtained at www.gibraltarfurniture.com.

Contact:
Bradley Friedman
Director of Public Relations
310.276.8889
sales@gibraltarfurniture.com